[net.audio] Cassette Head Cleaners

wjm@whuxk.UUCP (12/07/83)

As I (and others on the net) have said earlier, (but its probably worth repeating)
there are only TWO recommended cassette deck head cleaners.  The first is
isopropyl alcohol (sold by drug stores - try to get the 91% variety which has
less perfume or H2O in it - your heads don't need that gunk) and the other
is Freon TF (which is sold by audio shops and is the active ingredient in
the Nortronics tape head cleaner).
You can use Q-tips to clean the heads, capstans, and pinch rollers with
these products.
I would be VERY wary of any head cleaning product built into a cassette
You don't know what solvent is being used and some products (other than the
two recommended ones listed above) can dissolve the compounds that hold your
heads together.
Also, those cleaning tapes tend to be abrasive, with unpleasant effects on
your heads.
As for demagnetizers, there are two cassette-like demagentizers that work
fairly well.  The older of the two, which is quite reliable is the TDK HD-01,
while the newer one is the Discwasher unit.
However, a conventional demagnetizer, if used properly, works just as well.
I'd like to emphasize the need for preventitive maintenance on cassette decks.
Cleaning (if done with the proper cleaner) can do no harm if done too often
and every 10 hours of operation is a reasonable interval.
Demagnetization should be done every 50 hours or so.
Bill Mitchell (whuxk!wjm)